The ambassadors emphasized that their nations seek to integrate an American approach with their nations’ sociopolitical heritages.

“We are looking for U.S. solutions and are eager to embrace some U.S. solutions,” Simonyi said.

Bútora said the future of Central Europe, and of the continent as a whole, depends on common priorities that E.U. discussions seek to identify.

“What sort of Europe do countries want?” he asked.

All of the panelists concurred that continued expansion of the E.U. would ultimately strengthen Europe as a whole.

Grudzinski, however, anticipated that his country’s public would have to be convinced that the E.U. offered a legitimate route to European solidarity.

“We need to convince Poland that it should approach the European Union with a smiling face,” he said.

Simonyi said that European unification would surely face obstacles. He emphasized the need for cooperation not only among European nations but between Europe and the U.S.

“Are we going to be able to face these challenges?” he asked. “Yes. But we have to face these challenges together.”